For the first time ever, they will be hosting a women’s conference, presented by New Desire Christian Ministries, on Friday and Saturday.

New Desire Christian Ministries is a nondenominational ministry founded on the truths taught in God’s Word. It is led by Brenda Robinson and her evangelist husband, Dan.

“We (the women of Eastside) have attended conferences presented by New Desire Christian Ministries in the past and left there wanting to hear more,” said Diane Melton, one of the local coordinators for the conference.

“We thought others might be interested in hearing them, too,” Melton said. “They are so talented and their testimonies are wonderful.”

The Robinsons started the ministry in 1990 in Aragon, Ga., while the couple was reflecting upon Christianity’s impact on their lives.

It grew out of Brenda’s medical condition. What started with a small headache at her sister’s home became grand mal epilepsy for Brenda. She was 24 years old at the time.

Two weeks later, when Brenda said she “came to herself,” she learned she had suffered almost 100 seizures, and lost two weeks of her memory.

She and Dan were told she wouldn’t live past the age of 30 because her heart and kidneys couldn’t bear the strain of the violent seizures.

In a CBN interview, Dan said that, at times, Brenda’s convulsions were so intense that it would take five or six men to hold her down.

Brenda said in that interview that when doctors offered no hope for her condition, she gave up.

“Do you know what it’s like to watch your two children sit in the floor and they’re your babies, and not know their names because it takes my memory?” she said. “Do you know what it’s like to convulse and hurt from the top of your head to the bottom of your feet and not be able to move?”

With no other solutions, Brenda considered taking her own life and sat down with a bottle of pills. Suddenly and unexpectedly, Brenda said her sister and mother burst through the door.

“My mother had her Bible in hand and slammed it on the table,” Brenda said. “My mother looked at me and said, ‘The Lord woke me up in the wee hours of the morning and told me that you think today is your death day, but it’s not. This is the day you start living.’”

After praying together, Brenda said she rededicated her life to Jesus Christ.

An audible voice “inside of me” told Brenda she was healed.

While confined to her bed, Brenda began reading the Bible and her faith continued to grow. When she turned 30, she said the seizures stopped.

During this time, she was able to earn a doctorate of divinity degree.

Dan stayed by her side throughout this ordeal, relying on his faith for strength and guidance.

Brenda now serves as executive director and Dan is the president of New Desire Christian Ministries.

An author and songwriter, Brenda has led women’s conferences in four countries and three continents. She has also been featured on TBN, Daystar and Sky Angel television networks and appeared on the 700 Club on CBN.

In 1998, Brooke and Labron Cason joined New Desire Christian Ministries, each adding their own talents. Brooke, an accomplished gospel singer, serves as executive secretary, while Labron serves as road manager and delivers his own message through song and testimony.

New Desire Christian Ministries presents more than 50 conferences and performs at more than 200 musical ministry events each year.

Melton says the goal of this event is for women of all denominations to have a newer and deeper desire to know Christ.

“Through the message or the music, we hope everyone will be touched just as we were when we first heard this group,” Melton said. “They just love Jesus.”

Want to go?

WHAT: A women’s conference with New Desire Christian Ministries

WHERE: Eastside Baptist Church, 1180 Garnette Road

WHEN: 7 to 9 p.m. Friday and 9 a.m. to noon Saturday

HOW MUCH: $25, which includes lunch Saturday. For tickets, call (803) 286-4380 or (803) 320-3159. Tickets will also be sold at the door.